MLB wrap: Mets sweep doubleheader, top .500 for first time since May 2

Arthur Weinstein

MLB wrap: Mets sweep doubleheader, top .500 for first time since May 2 image

Now everyone can see why the Mets weren't sellers at the trade deadline.

J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto and Pete Alonso homered in the seventh inning Monday night to rally the Mets to a 5-4 victory over the Marlins to complete a doubleheader sweep.

The Mets won the opener, 6-2, behind a strong outing from Jacob deGrom, who pitched seven innings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out eight.

And just like that, the Mets have won four in a row, 11 of 12 and are over the .500 mark (57-56) for the first time since May 2.

Oh, and the Mets are now just two games out of the second National League wild-card spot.

This is what Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen expected at the trade deadline. The Mets, who were 11 games under .500 as recently as July 12, were widely expected to be sellers, possibly looking to deal young hurlers Noah Syndergaard or Zack Wheeler. Instead, New York acquired pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays.

"Our focus at the trade deadline … is to win now and win in the future," Van Wagenen said at the time (via The Athletic).

Many Mets fans and baseball insiders shook their heads at the team's trade strategy. But the Mets have now gone 17-6 since the All-Star break. If they're not quite yet "Amazin'," they're definitely threats down the stretch. And with the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner (deGrom) those young arms (Syndergaard and Wheeler) who didn't get traded and the one who got added (Stroman), this is not a team anyone would want to face in a postseason series.

Studs of the Night

Orioles second baseman Jonathan Villar hit for the cycle in Baltimore's 9-6 loss to the Yankees. Villar tripled in the third inning, doubled in the fifth, homered in the sixth and then singled in the ninth to pull off the feat. He's the first Baltimore player to post a cycle since Felix Pie on Aug. 14, 2009.

Javier Baez hit two home runs and drove in three runs in a 6-5 win over the Athletics.

Rangers lefty Mike Minor struck out seven in seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Indians.

Duds of the Night

Marlins reliever Jeff Brigham gave up those three aforementioned home runs to the Mets in the seventh inning to earn the loss.

Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez struck out three times and stranded six runners in the Reds' win against the Angels.

Highlights

Miguel Sano crushes a pitch to dead center for a walk-off winner for the Twins.

Marlins rookie Isan Díaz homers in his MLB debut, as his father is being interviewed in the grandstands. Dad's reaction is priceless.

What's Next?

Braves (66-48) at Twins (70-42), 8:10 p.m. ET — Two playoff-bound teams battle in this NL vs. AL matchup. Mike Foltynewicz (2-5, 6.37) makes his first appearance for the Braves since June 22, coming off a demotion to Triple-A. Twins right-hander José Berríos is having his best season, with a 2.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.

 

Arthur Weinstein